Hammers hopes hit

30 Jan 2010 18:32:56

West Ham began a new era of hope at Upton Park with the same old problems after a goalless draw against Blackburn.The Hammers - playing in front of co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold for the first time at the Boleyn Ground since their successful takeover - had plenty of possession but lacked a cutting edge in attack even after the second-half introduction of fit-again England striker Carlton Cole.Indeed, the relegation battlers could have found themselves behind just before the break when Morten Gamst Pedersen's 25-yard free-kick crashed against the crossbar and then substitute Jason Roberts failed to beat Robert Green when clean through with 15 minutes left.